Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the inclusion of GLP-1 drugs and other essential medicines in its Essential Medicines List (EML), aiming to promote global accessibility of these high priced drugs. It is reported that the core active ingredients of Novo Nordisk Ozempic and Lilly Mounjaro are included in the list this time for the treatment of type 2 diabetes combined with cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease or obesity.
GLP-1 drugs were originally developed for diabetes, but in recent years they have also been sought after in the field of weight loss and sold under different brand names. However, the World Health Organization has not yet included it separately in the list of obesity treatment drugs, as it decided in 2023. The committee pointed out that this move aims to prevent the demand for "mass weight loss" from squeezing the supply of truly essential patients.
Industry insiders indicate that with the inclusion of GLP-1 drugs in the Essential Medicines List, their global application prospects have become even broader. Another organization has stated that a wave of commercialization for GLP-1 drugs is imminent.
It is reported that domestic pharmaceutical companies are also quietly catching up in the field of GLP-1 drugs. As announced by Sihuan Pharmaceutical, its subsidiary Huisheng Biotechnology has officially entered the clinical trial stage for its independently developed GLP-1 receptor agonist. This drug is used to treat type 2 diabetes. At present, pre clinical research has been completed and clinical trials have been approved by the State Drug Administration. Huisheng Biotechnology stated that the GLP-1 receptor agonist has independent intellectual property rights and has overcome multiple key technological bottlenecks during the research and development process. The company plans to complete various stages of clinical trials within the next two years and simultaneously advance the industrial preparation work of the drug.
HRS9531 of Hengrui Pharmaceutical is a glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose dependent insulin stimulating peptide (GIP) dual receptor agonist independently developed by the company, which is intended to be developed for the treatment of overweight/obesity and related complications, as well as type 2 diabetes and other indications. So far, HRS9531 has conducted multiple clinical trials, with over 2000 Chinese participants receiving treatment with HRS9531.
Xinda Biotechnology announced in June this year that the GCG/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist for weight loss and blood sugar lowering drug, Masidu Peptide Injection (trade name: Xinermei), has been approved for market by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China. It is reported that Masidomide is suitable for long-term weight control in adult patients based on controlling diet and increasing physical activity, with an initial body mass index (BMI) of not less than 28 kg/m2 (obesity); Or BMI not less than 24 kg/m2 (overweight), accompanied by at least one weight related complication (such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, fatty liver, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, etc.).
Borui Pharmaceutical is promoting its global layout through differentiated paths. Its core product BGM0504 injection has started Phase III clinical trials in Indonesia in June 2025 and is expected to be completed by March 2026. The evaluation endpoints cover both blood sugar reduction and weight loss.
Analysis indicates that from the perspective of industry trends, the global GLP-1 track is undergoing three major changes. 1、 The competition dimension is expanding from "weight loss competition" to the full course management of complications such as cardiovascular, renal, and NASH. 2、 The pace of dosage form innovation is accelerating, from injection to oral administration, and patient compliance has become a new focus of competition. 3、 The combination of GLP-1 with new targets such as GIP, amyloid, and even Myostatin can rapidly increase the temperature through the use of combination and compound strategies. Industry analysis believes that if Chinese pharmaceutical companies want to break through, they need to make breakthroughs in international market landing, dosage form differentiation, and forward-looking target exploration.
As GLP-1 drugs are about to enter commercialization, securities firms believe that sales capability will become a major factor in considering a company's future competitive advantage, and companies with research and development progress and strong sales execution will occupy an advantageous position in commercial competition. With the continuous expansion of terminal demand, the entire GLP-1 industry chain will continue to enter an upward trend in prosperity.